Even if you aren't afraid of flying, you can acknowledge that being on an airplane is never exactly comfortable. Airplane seats are notoriously small and cramped, the temperature is always either freezing cold or way too warm, you have very little control over the amount of noise and light that surrounds you, and you're basically trapped in one area for hours at a time. Sitting in first class can make things better, but of course, that is not an option everyone can afford.

Luckily, there are some more affordable ways to get as comfortable as you can on an airplane, and they all revolve around picking the right seat.

The kind of seat you choose can have a huge impact on your comfort level during your flight, whether you're looking for an area that is quieter or you simply want more legroom. If you don't fly a lot, picking the right seat can seem overwhelming.

INSIDER spoke with Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant Kaipo Kauka to get a better idea of the best seat to choose depending on the experience you're looking for.

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If you want to sleep through most of the flight, choose a window seat.

Sleeping is ideal during a flight, especially a very long one. Unfortunately, it can also be tough to get a decent amount of it when you're constantly adjusting yourself and trying to find a comfortable position. Kauka recommends choosing a window seat if you know you need some shut-eye.

He said, "I like using the window as something to lean on. Your seat neighbor will thank you for not leaning on them instead."

Pick a window seat away from the kitchen area if you need silence.

Whether you want to get some uninterrupted sleep or just want a quiet flight, Kauka said to stay away from the "kitchen" area of the plane.

He pointed out, "Flight attendants work in the galleys during the flight and it can get noisy."

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Choose an aisle seat if you know you'll be using the bathroom a lot.

An aisle seat will make getting up convenient.
Shutterstock/Yellowj

Can't hold it in for very long? Do yourself - and your seatmates - a favor, and pick an aisle seat. And if you would prefer to keep an eye on the lines, Kauka said, "You can use the aircraft seat map if you want to book a seat close to a lavatory as well."

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Stay away from emergency exit windows if you find that you're always cold on the plane.

If you spend most flights wrapped in sweaters trying not to shiver the time away, Kauka recommends staying away from any door or emergency exit windows on the fuselage.

He said, "These exits allow the outside cold air to seep into the aircraft. The legroom is great at these seats, but it can get cold."

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Opt for exit row seats if you want extra legroom that you don't have to pay for.

It's a cheaper way to get more leg room than buying a first-class ticket.PK289/Shutterstock

Upgrading to extra legroom seats can also be pricey. If you don't want to spend the extra money but you really need more room, Kauka said to pick exit row seats.

He said, "These rows are required to have more distance between seats to allow for easy access during an evacuation."

But keep in mind that not all exit row seats were created equally. Kauka said, "Word of caution for exit rows: whenever there are two exit rows, the forward row seats will not recline. That would obstruct access during an evacuation for the second row."

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If you need to prop your feet up on something, avoid bulkhead seats.

If you like resting your feet on the seat in front of you, don't choose a bulkhead seat.
Melissa Kravitz/INSIDER

Sitting at a bulkhead seat can be great for extra legroom — these are often seats right after the divider between cabins, and since there aren't seats immediately in front of them, you can stretch out more. But if you like to prop your legs up, it's a problem.

Kauka said, "I personally try to stay away from bulkhead seats. I prefer having a seat in front of me so I can use the area under the seat to extend my legs. Bulkhead seats don't allow that."

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If you hate turbulence, stay closer to the front.

One of the worst things about flying is dealing with the unexplained bumps and dips that come with most flights.

If you really want to avoid turbulence, Kauka said, "The smoothest ride will be found in the front of the aircraft. Farther forward, the better. In the end, turbulence will affect the entire aircraft. Most planes tend to 'feel' a bit bumpier in the aft or rear section of the aircraft."